Showing papers by "National Autonomous University of Nicaragua published in 2003"

Performance of the acetic acid test when used in field conditions as a screening test for cervical cancer.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To assess if visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) is a useful alternative screening test for cervical cancer, when used in a resource-poor setting with an existing cytology-based screening programme. METHODS Women living in Rivas district (Nicaragua), who attended the programme, were concurrently screened with VIA and Papanicolau (PAP) smear. Screening was performed by health providers who had received training in VIA and a refresher course in cytology. Women testing positive for either of the results were referred for colposcopy and biopsy when indicated. The performance of VIA was compared with PAP smear, calculating the relative true and false positive rate (RELTPR and RELFPR) and for a high threshold on biopsy (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or a higher grade). We determined the trade-off between both tests by calculating the ratio of extra false positives detected through extra true positives (EFP:ETP ratio). RESULTS A total of 1076 patients were screened. Nearly 33% had a positive screening test. On biopsy, 7.6% had a low-grade intraepithelial lesion, 4.5% a high-grade intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and 0.5% invasive cancer. The RELTPR (VIA to PAP) was 1.96, the RELFPR 5.02 and the EFP:ETP ratio 8.04. VIA detected twice as much HSIL and invasive cancers as the PAP smear. Yet, for every extra diagnosis, eight extra false positives had to be examined at the referral level. CONCLUSIONS The VIA spectacularly increases the number of HSIL and invasive cancers detected. The high FPR is a concern for the organization of the referral level. There is a need to establish uniform criteria on test positivity and to further improve the performance in field conditions.

Prevalencia, severidad de caries y necesidades de tratamiento en preescolares de una comunidad suburbana de Campeche-2001

Abstract: Introduction. The purpose of this work was to determine caries prevalence and severity of primary dentition in a group of pre-school children form a suburban community of Campeche (a southeast state of Mexico). Material and methods. A transversal descriptive study way carried out on in 109 pre-school children, aged 5 to 6 years. All cases were examined by 2 dentist; the sum decay, missing and filling teeth who (dmft) index, the Magnitude of Lesion Caries Criteria (MLCC) and 2 Treatment Needs Index (TNI) were used. Non parametric tests were used for the statistical analysis. Results. Caries in primary teeth was found in 75.2% of children; dmft index was 3.92 ± 3.86. The dmft for 5 and 6 years old group was 3.24 and 4.67 respectively (U-MW P=0.052). According to MLCC 54.1% of children were of high risk; TNI was 89.6%. Conclusions. A high prevalence and severity of caries was found, representing a public health problem. An appropriate intervention program that includes preventive and therapeutic measures should be implemented.

Hacia una silvicultura sostenible en el trópico seco: el caso de la Finca Piedra Rala, Nicaragua.

Abstract: Se explica la experiencia de los productores en el manejo racional de pequenas areas de bosque tropical seco, y se analiza como la silvicultura racional tiene una capacidad de regeneracion de los bosques naturales poco productivos en la zona del Pacifico de Nicaragua. En esta zona, las condiciones socioeconomicas crea unas condiciones de gran presion sobre los remanentes de bosques que aun existen. Se concluye que es posible el desarrollo de practicas silviculturales y tecnicas de aprovechamientos que garanticen la sostenibilidad del recurso forestal y su recuperacion a largo plazo.